With cooperation and dialogue, Croatia can exert more influence on the Liberland community in Gornja Siga, allowing us to envision a future in which we proudly work and live together.

As we celebrate Easter, the Liberland community takes pride in being founded on the principles of peace, dialogue and voluntary cooperation. We unequivocally renounce any form of violence. Violence has no place in our philosophy, our governance or our community-building efforts. This community was founded on the land of Gornja Siga so as to not infringe on the territorial claims of any other country. Our mission is to foster prosperity, freedom, and innovation — not conflict. And true diplomacy is arriving at areas of agreement where there were none before.

This involves having empathy and at the very least a sincere attempt at understanding the other side’s position. This does not automatically remove disagreements, but it does set the stage for arriving at solutions that address all parties’ fundamental needs.

To be sure, Liberland supports Croatia’s position in several essential questions. 

We deeply respect Croatia as a sovereign nation and its right and duty to protect its borders. We fully support Croatia’s efforts to safeguard its territorial integrity and public order. We stand behind their efforts to deter human trafficking, illegal migration, smuggling and other vital elements of their national security policy – naturally, this benefits our community as well. Our activities are not meant in any way to undermine Croatia’s interests, but to complement and enhance the region’s development. In fact, the presence of Liberland’s community in Gornja Siga does not conflict with Croatia’s version of its border claims – no matter the final outcome of the dispute. 

As we understand it, Croatian authorities assert they may pursue a future claim on the land to the exclusion of any other party. We take a different position, and we emphasize our right to disagree. Persons who simply hold other opinions about border questions do not deserve to be discriminated against or expelled as they have been on a few occasions. However, we can try to analyze the reasoning. Perhaps Croatia feels if it loses the larger dispute with Serbia, they will obtain Gornja Siga as a consolation prize. 

There also are strong emotional sensitivities stemming from the war that was fought over Serb-held territory, although Siga was not part of this conflict and was decidedly not included in the area of Eastern Slavonia integrated into Croatia following the Erdut Agreement and UNTAES occupation from 1995-1998. 

With these facts in mind, it also benefits us to appreciate the sentiments of those who fought and gave up so much during the conflicts of the 1990s. Many Liberlanders are serious students of the region’s history and conflicts, and we would never seek to belittle the sacrifices made by Croatian patriots for their country. While our task would be somewhat easier were it not for this legacy, we salute the veterans and what they gave to achieve their country’s independence. 

If there are some other articulations for the Croatian government position on Gornja Siga, we are open to hear them. However, we do feel that intimating a future claim on the territory weakens Croatia’s overall position in the border dispute, as their total claim to pockets on the other side of the Danube comprises roughly ten times the area of Gornja Siga. 

The existence of the Gornja Siga community does not take a single square inch of land away from Croatia, nor does it compromise its vital national interests. On the contrary, we firmly believe that a peaceful and cooperative relationship between Croatia and Liberland will benefit both communities. We truly love freedom and what we are building. Croatian citizens are warmly invited to participate in our development, whether through cultural exchange, business ventures or personal engagement. Many Liberlanders are doing their best to learn conversational Croatian and to appreciate the history, culture and nature of the region as well as that of the rest of the country.

There are concrete ways in which Liberland can gladly contribute to Croatia’s prosperity, including:

• Investment: We aim to channel significant private investment into the region, creating opportunities for Croatian entrepreneurs, service providers and suppliers. We are currently working to structure a large fund to identify and invest in several projects in Croatia, including a solar park, recycling plant, golf course, infrastructure improvements and much more.
• Employment: Development projects associated with Liberland offer new employment opportunities for local Croatian communities in construction, hospitality, infrastructure and technology sectors.
• Tourism: Liberland’s unique story has drawn much international media attention. With proper cooperation and encouragement, the surrounding Croatian regions can expect a surge in tourism, benefiting local businesses and municipalities.

Of course we have been eager to learn more about the needs and aspirations of our neighbors. We extend our hand in friendship and cooperation to the Croatian government and people. We remain open to dialogue and engagement, and we reaffirm our commitment to acting within the framework of international law and mutual respect. Liberland stands for peace, prosperity, and partnership — never for violence or any form of extremism.

With cooperation and dialogue, Croatia can exert more influence on the Gornja Siga community, allowing us to envision a future in which we proudly work and live together.

Happy Easter.

Thomas Walls
Minister of Foreign Affairs